Thieves Quartet (1994)

Synopsis
by Michael Betzold

Writer-director Joe Chappelle made his feature film debut with a cast of unknowns in this bizarre story that he concocted as a noir thriller. Bartender and ex-hippie Art Bledsoe (Joe Guastaferro) comes up with an idea for the perfect crime, and the idea intrigues three of his friends. Disgraced ex-policeman Mike Quinn (James Eichling) signs up for the scheme, as does car wash attendant Jimmy Fuqua (Phillip Van Lear) and Art's girlfriend Jessica Sutter (Michele Cole). The four amateurish thieves plot to kidnap Jill Luce (Dawn Maxey), the daughter of a wealthy business tycoon, and hold her ransom for a $2 million reward. Nothing goes as planned as the four thieves bumble and betray one another. Even during the action scenes, Chappelle puts most of the focus on his characters' inward misgivings and hopes.